30 Nov The Environmental Impact of Permeable Paver Driveways: What You Need to Know

While some may enjoy the feeling of stepping out onto wet mud, most people prefer walking on solid ground. Permeable pavers are a great option for creating walkways, driveways, and other walkable surfaces throughout your yard to give guests and residents even terrain.

As part of the landscape design in Tucson, AZ, Santa Rita Landscaping’s professionals offer these permeable paver driveways and walkways. Learn more about the environmental impact of a permeable paver driveway and more below.

What Are Permeable Pavers?

Permeable pavers are hardscape pieces made out of a combination of recycled materials. When creating permeable pavers, the manufacturers blend grass, gravel, and crushed quartz with primary building materials, such as concrete, clay bricks, or asphalt.

Permeable pavers are much like puzzle pieces in that they create plastic grids on top of the ground to form the final driveway or walkway according to your liking. This easy composition allows water to flow freely through the piece, entering the ground beneath.

Countless homeowners now choose these permeable pavers when adding new features to their yards. The pieces offer excellent solutions for creating decorative and permeable driveways, patios, walkways, and garden stepping paths. They’re also a popular option for homeowners who are going for a more sustainable property overall since they support soil health and water drainage.

How Are Permeable Paver Driveways Eco-Friendly?

If you’re one of the many people transitioning to a more eco-conscious home, are you considering a permeable paver driveway or walkway? Permeable pavers offer a variety of benefits for your property’s environment. For example, the following are some advantages of installing a permeable paver driveway or walkway compared to solid concrete surfaces:

Replenish Groundwater Reserves

Permeable pavers replenish groundwater reserves by allowing rainwater to flow through the driveway and into the soil underneath. This is especially beneficial in areas struggling with drought and water scarcity.

Mitigate Heat Islands

Certain urban areas are considered “heat islands,” with high temperatures throughout the city. Permeable paver driveways help mitigate these heat islands because they have a lower thermal mass (they reflect sunlight and absorb less heat). Traditional driveway materials contribute to the heat island problem and radiate the heat back into the surrounding environment.

Filter Pollutants

Another environmental benefit of permeable pavers is the filtration process. As water flows through, the pavers filter out harmful pollutants and particles. This helpful filtration helps to protect the natural waterways in your area from contamination.

Promote Grass Growth

Because permeable pavers allow water to soak into the ground beneath, they promote new grass growth. With traditional driveways, removing the pavement reveals a bare ground underneath. 

Soil that isn’t productive when you remove the old driveway isn’t ideal, whether for aesthetics or when trying to get new grass to grow. The increased water flow from permeable pavers addresses this concern.

Get Permeable Pavers for Your Home With Santa Rita Landscaping

Are you interested in a permeable paver driveway for your home? Santa Rita Landscaping’s team has countless ideas for paving your driveway, including eco-friendly pavers. If you’re in Tucson, call us at 520-623-0421 for more information.